THE FINEST CHILDREN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 4

THE FINEST CHILDREN

The statement made by Lord Plunket yesterday at Blenheim that “ New Zealand had the finest and best-cared-fer children in the world ” is a- testimony to the citizenship of our people which it is to bo hoped may in future years be truthfully repeated. Appropriately, too, it was made at a time when the people of Marlborough are rejoicing over tho jrrovincial jubilee and giving expression to admiration for the magnificent colonising efforts of their fathers. The , children of this country owe much to those grand old pioneers who braved the first rigours of settlement and laid the foundation of those democratic institutions wo to-day enjoy. That their children and grandchildren should be tho fathers and mothers of the “ finest children in tho world ” is perhaps a more eloquent tribute, to the spirit and character of the original settlers than any which could ho forthcoming.. Certainly it is tne most enduring. It was they who marked out the ground-plan of a national edifice, and it is a matter for congratulation that those who in their turn will carry up tho structure give promise of being worthy successors. We have to tolerate a lot of disquieting, though inflated nonsense, at times about tho “ decadence of national fibre” to bo detected in the population, and as an answer to this and similarly woc-begono assertions, Lord Plunket offers a timely corrective. Sir John Gorst, who visited New Zealand two or three years ago, was particularly struck by the bright mentality and physical development of tho younger generation. Many other strangers to our country have declared that the main impression they carried away was in relation to the children. This is no mean testimonial, and is one no good citizen would ever wish to have withdrawn. The dearest wish of every parent should bo to see his family well nurtured, well trained—to see his offspring reach a well-equipped maturitj'. Every State should be animated by an unflinching resolution to so ,frame its administration that the efficiency of its future citizens is neither discounted in childhood nor prejudiced in youth. It should wage an unceasing war on poverty, on the slum, on tho monopolist of land, in the firm assurance that the men and women to whom the national destiny is ultimately to pass will come strong and capable to their task. . ,